Keel-block for ships.



PATENTED Nov. 19, 1907. T. H. ALCORN. KEBL BLOCK PoR SHIPS.

APPLIGATION FILED OCT 4 1906 ...AIMME-ll!!! E `Y I l @-2 THOMAS H. ALCORN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

KEEL-BLOGK FOR SHIPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 19, 1907.

Application filed October 4c, 1906. Serial No. 337.334.

Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Keel-Blocks for Ships, of which the following is va specification.

My invention relates to keel blocks for supporting ships and consists in providing means whereby the same can be quickly and expeditiously removed from beneath the keel at the proper time.

It further consists of novel details of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of three of the keel blocks showing the keel in dotted lines. Fig. 2 represents a sectional view on line -Qc, Fig. 1-. Fig. 3 represents a sectional view on line y-y, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 represents a sectional view on line 2 2, Fig. 2. Fig. f5 represents an elevation showing one manner of constructing the central block ofmy device.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings In ship building, it is customary in starting the construction of a vessel, to form the keel support or block of timber upon which the keel is .laid

y and as rogress is made in the construction of the s p or vessel, it will be evident that a great weight is carried by this keel block. At the proper time the ways are constructed, supporting the hull of the ship but there still `remains avery considerable amount of Weight on the keel block. I/Vhen the vessel is ready for launching it is necessary to employ `a large force of men in order to remove the keel blocks so that the vessel can slide out off the ways. This necessitates a considerable amount of labor and in the destruction of the timber composing the keel block and must be carefully done.

Myk present invention is to overcome the necessity ofthe use of the large force of workmen, at the same time removal of the keel blocks is more quickly and easilyaccomplished and the destruction of the timber is obviated.

In the ydrawings I have shown one form of keel block for carrying out my invention, but it will be evident that other instrumentalities may be employed which will accomplish the same result.

1 designates the base or support for my blocks, saidbase being first arranged in the proper place and is adapted to support at suitable intervals therein, a plurality of the blocks.

In the drawings in Fig. 1, I have shown three of these blocks in position although it will be evident that any number may be employed and that the distance between them may vary depending upon conditions. The keel blocks consist of the plate 2 which forms the support for the parts and which rests upon and may be secured to the base 1, said plates having the grooves 3 which in the present instance are V-shaped in their upper faces. forming part of the base late 2 is a central block 4 which has the inc ined u er faces 5. Supported by theA said central li ook 4 and passing therethrough is the rod 6 which has sclrew threads '7 and 8 thereon at the proper ace.

9 and 10 designate movable side blocks having threaded openings therethrough which engage with the threads 7 and 8, respectively on the rod 7, said side blocks having suitably inclined upper faces 11 which are reversely inclined to the inclined faces of the central block 4.

12 designates removable filling blocks which blocks are provided with inclined faces to correspond to the faces 5 of the central block 4 and the faces 11 of the movable side blocks 9 and 10, it being noted that the said blocks 12 are adapted to be seated normally upon the central block 4 and the said side blocks 9 and 10, (the parts initially being in the position seen in Figs. 1 and 2) and that the upper faces of the said blocks 12 are substantially flat so that When the blocks are in position as before stated, the upper surfaces are in the saine plane.

13 designates lugs which, in the present instance, are V-shaped and are situated upon the lower faces of the side blocks 9 and 10 and which are adapted to be seated in the grooves 3, it being understood that the said lugs and grooves form a track for the movable blocks 9 and 10.

The operation of the parts will be readily understood. As before stated, after the plates 2 are placed upon the base 1, and the side blocks 9 and 10 are in the position seen in Figs. 1 and 2 with the blocks 12-resting thereupon, the upper faces form a plane Secured to in any suitable manner or surface upon which is rested the keel 14 of Y permitting of this lowering, the parts assum is completed and the Ways are in position supporting the said hull and the vessel is ready for launching in order to remove the blocks 12 from the keel a suitable implement or device is connected with the squared end 15 ofthe rod 6 for rotating it and the same is turned, thereby causing the movable side blocks 9 and 10 to move outwardly away from the central block 4. As this movement yprogresses the blocks 12 will be lowered, the inclined faces of said blocks and of the movable side blocks and the central block ing the position seen in dotted lines in Fig. 2 so that said blocks 12 will be' free from contact with the keel 14 and can be easily removed from their position upon the side blocks 9 and 10 and central blocks 4 and the keel is free from support. In this manner it will be seen'that the support of the keel can be quickly and expeditiously removed without destroying any of the parts which are ready for use again, as soon as desired. f

In some instances'mit may be necessary to remove the upper portion of the central block 4 and in Fig. 5 I have shown a cap 16 which is removable from the central block 17, the latter in the present instance, being formed with the projections 18 upon which rest the lugs 19 of the cap 16 so that while the same is suitably supported it can be removed longitudinally of the block 17 The blocks 12 are preferably of wood and the central block 4 and the movable side blocks 9 and 10 of metal and if desired, I may form the blocks solid or hollow as desired.

In the drawings I have shown the blocks in Fig. 1 with the rod 6 extending longitudinally with the keel 14, although it will be understood that I may situate the plates cross-wise of said keel in order that the rod 6 may extend beyond the base 1, the operation of the parts being the same.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the character described, movable supports,l blocks carried by said supports, and means in engagement with the supports for operating said supports whereby said blocks are lowered and for returning said supports to their normal position.

2. In a device of the character described, movable supports, blocks carried thereby, and means connected with the supports for moving the same whereby said blocks are lowered.

3. In a device of the character described, a stationary support, movable side supports `adjacent said stationary support, blocks carried by said supports, and means in engagement with said movable supports for moving the same whereby said blocks are lowered.

4. In a device of the character described, a stationary support, movable side supports,

means for moving said side supports, blocks carried by said supports and adapted to be lowered when said side supports are moved and guides for said side supports.

5. In a device of the character described, a stationary support, a movable support adjacent said stationary support, a block carried by said supports, and means connected withsaid movable supports for operating the same with respect to each other, so that said block is lowered.

6. In a device of the character described, a stationary support, movable supports adjacent said stationary support, a rod carried by said stationary support, and engaging with said movable supports and blocks carried by said supports adapted to be lowered when said side supports are moved.

In a device of the character described, a plate, a stationary support carried thereby, movable supports guided by said plate, a threaded rod carried by said stationary supportand engaging with said movable supports and b'locks carried by said supports, and adapted to be lowered when said side supports are moved.

8. In a device of the character described, a plate, a stationary support carried thereby and having inclined upper faces, movable sup orts ladjacent said stationary support, eac having an inclined upper face, a threaded rod carried by said stationary support and engaging with said movable supports for operating the same and blocks carried by said supports and adapted to be lowered when said movable supports are operated.

9. In a device of the character described,

and mechanical means for raising and lower.

ing said blocks.

11. In a device of the character described, movable supports, means for moving the same, blocks'carried by said supports and adapted to be raised and lowered when said supports are moved and guides for said supports.

12. In a device of the character described, a stationary support having oppositelyA inclined faces, side supports means for moving said side supports towards and away from said first mentioned support and blocks carried by said supports.

13. In a device of the character described, a support having oppositely inclined faces, supports on opposite sides thereof having faces inclined oppositely to that of the adjacent face of the first mentioned support, and means for moving said side supports.

14. In a device of the character described,

supports'on opposite sides thereof having gagement with said movable supports for 4 actuating the same, and blocks carried by faces inclined oppositely to that of the adj asaid supports. cent face of the first mentioned support, 17. In adevice of the character described, means for moving said side supports and a support having oppositely inclined faces, blocks carried by said supports. I supports on opposite `sides thereof having 15.` In a device of the character described, i faces inclined oppositely to that of the ada support, movable supports and a threaded jacent faces of the first mentioned support, rod carried by said first support and engaga threaded rod suitably supported and in ening with each of said movable supports for gagement with said movable supports for actuating the same. actuating the same, blocks carried by said 16. In a device of the character described, supports, and guides for said movable supa supporthaving oppositely inclined faces, l

a ksupport having oppositely inclined faces, I ports.

supports on opposite sides thereof having THOMAS I-I. ALCORY. faces inclined oppositely to that of the ad- I Vitnesses:

jacent faces of the first mentioned support, Jos. J. TYNAN,

a threaded rod suitably supported and in en- 1 C. D. MCVAY. 

